On the afternoon of November 13, 2016, the Winthrop University Police Department discovered figures—made of nylon stockings stuffed with dirt, spray-painted black, and shaped like bodies—placed in the trees outside Winthrop’s Tillman Hall, and a piece of paper that said “Tillman’s Legacy” taped over the sign outside the hall. For months, Tillman Hall had been… Read more

Art purged for being “one-sided,” among other excuses Censors, often not understanding the message, ban art rather than grapple with its meaning PHILADELPHIA, July 10, 2018 — Art censorship is nothing new. Spanish conquistadors smashed ceramics of ancient Peruvian cultures that portrayed gay and lesbian sex. The Roman Catholic Church of the 15th century was… Read more

ROCK HILL, S.C., Dec. 19, 2016—A Winthrop University student was found not responsible for violating two university speech codes after her involvement with a campus anti-lynching art installation. This outcome comes six days after the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) and the National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) wrote to the university president to… Read more

A Winthrop University student allegedly participated in protest of campus building’s name The South Carolina public university charged the student with “disturb[ing] the public order and peace” The university president sent an email suggesting that “hurtful” art is punishable Rock Hill, S.C., Dec. 8, 2016—Winthrop University is threatening a student with expulsion or suspension for… Read more

The Johnsonian (TJ), a student newspaper at Winthrop University in South Carolina, recently published a blistering editorial criticizing the Winthrop administration for its lack of respect for freedom of speech. The Johnsonian staff writes: The official motto of Winthrop is "Live, Learn, Lead." If we pay attention enough on campus and in our classes we… Read more

FIRE celebrated Free Speech Week last week by teaming up with Students For Liberty to send FIRE speakers and materials to student groups across the country. We’re pleased to announce it was a great success! To mark the occasion, 72 student groups distributed FIRE materials and pocket-sized Constitutions on campus. More than 20 student… Read more